WG boys lacrosse handles Oswego, Nottingham

With a pair of solid victories, the West Genesee boys lacrosse team inched its head coach, Mike Messere, closer to his 700th career win — something that could happen as early as this Saturday’s game against Liverpool.

The Wildcats hosted Oswego last Tuesday night and clamped down in the game’s middle stages to pull away and beat the Buccaneers 14-5.

WG only led, 4-2, after one period, but didn’t allow another goal until the fourth quarter. Jack Conboy, Joe Fazio, Joe Fletcher and the rest of WG’s back line hurt Oswego’s attack, and Steve Mahle recorded 13 saves before leaving in the final period.

Meanwhile, a balanced attack continued to flourish. Ike Hopper set up plays with four assists as John Glesener earned three assists and Jim Marks two assists.

Matt McCabe scored three times, while Hopper, Glesener, Marks, Jordan Rogers and Tyler Brown each picked up two goals. Dylan Donahue also scored, with Conor Regin joining Rogers with single assists.

WG then toyed with Nottingham on Friday, as Messere gave most of the lineup a chance to play during a 17-0 shutout of the Bulldogs.

Marks (three goals, two assists) and Donahue (two goals, three assists) led the way as Hopper, McCabe and Zach Lewis joined Donahue in the two-goal column. Regin, Eric Bell, Ian Farley, P.J. Hart and Tim McMahon also took turns scoring, with Colin Campbell, Joe Fletcher and Chris Murphy getting assists, too.

Messere is at 697 wins, and the Wildcats would have to prevail at Auburn Tuesday (their first meeting since last year’s Class A final) and against Central Square Thursday to get a shot at the milestone against Liverpool.